A Structured Overview of Extremist Movements
Consolidating fragmented sources into a consistent, evidence-based overview of extremism across the ideological spectrum.
Why this platform exists
Researching extremism often means navigating fragmented sources, dispersed datasets, and inconsistent classifications. It is difficult to obtain a coherent picture of which groups exist, how they are interconnected, how they operate, and what motivates them.
Extremism Monitor consolidates open-source intelligence, academic research, and investigative analysis into a single structured framework, giving both newcomers and experienced researchers a clear and methodologically consistent starting point.
Our research is independent, academically rigorous, and grounded in open-source intelligence. We do not advocate for any political position.
How the platform works
Atlas database
A structured catalogue of established extremist groups, organised by ideology, region, country, and operational status. Sortable and searchable, with analytical summaries for each entry.
Early signal detection
A dedicated section tracking emerging movements before they receive broader media or institutional attention, capturing groups at the point where ideological coherence begins to solidify.
Open-source methodology
All entries are sourced from academic literature, court documents, investigative journalism, and primary extremist materials. Every claim is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources.
Structured classification
Groups are mapped through a five-tier taxonomy moving from broad ideological domain down to individual actors, enabling consistent comparison across movements and ideological traditions.
The gap this platform fills
Extremist movements shape political violence, undermine democratic institutions, and radicalise vulnerable populations. Understanding these groups, their origins, structures, and methods, is a prerequisite for effective prevention and counter-measures.
Journalists and policymakers frequently lack structured comparative data. Existing resources often focus on a single ideological family, leaving the broader landscape fragmented and difficult to navigate. Extremism Monitor addresses this by applying a consistent taxonomy and evidence base across the full spectrum, from far-right to far-left and from jihadist to eco-extremist.
The platform is designed to function both as a knowledge repository and as a forward-looking analytical tool, identifying movements in their early stages before they attract institutional attention.
Contribute to the Atlas
Know of a group that should be in the Atlas? Spotted an inaccuracy or an emerging movement that warrants attention? We welcome submissions from researchers, journalists, and civil society professionals.
All contributions are reviewed against publicly available sources before publication, in line with our verification standards. Accepted submissions are credited to the contributor by name or institution as we believe in giving credit where it is due.
Submit a group